Zinc is an essential element important in more than 200 metalloenzymes. It also is important for nucleic acid, cell membrane, and protein synthesis. In addition, it is important for growth, tissue repair, and cell division. Zinc acts as a chelating agent, and it competes with iron to inhibit fibrosis and collagen formation. It induces the production of metallothionein in intestinal mucosal cells, which binds copper from the diet and prevents uptake to the liver. The benefits have been seen in experimental animals and in humans with liver disease. One of the uses has been to manage hepatic cirrhosis. Zinc also may act as an antioxidant and prevent membrane damage.
Zinc can treat acute and chronic diarrhea by inhibiting three out of the four main intracellular pathways of intestinal ion secretion, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), calcium, and nitric oxide.
The biochemical, immunologic, or virologic basis for the mechanism of action of zinc in the treatment of the common cold remains unclear. A leading hypothesis is that Zn2+ is a competitive inhibitor of ICAM-1 in both rhinovirus particles and the nasal epithelium.
Zinc aids wound repair by acting as a cofactor in several transcription factors and enzyme systems (i.e., zinc-dependent matrix metalloproteinases) that augment auto-debridement and keratinocyte migration. Zinc protects against reactive oxygen species and bacterial toxins through the anti-oxidant activity of cysteine-rich metallothioneins.
Zinc decreases the concentration of copper by inducing the synthesis of a copper-binding ligand in mucosal cells; this sequesters copper, making it unavailable for serosal transfer in the GI tract.
Physiological role of Zinc Zinc is essential for –
- Gene expression
- Cell division
- Growth
- Hormone production
- Metabolism
- Appetite control
- Immune function
- Maintaining structural integrity & health of the hoof and udder
- Wound healing and epithelium maintenance.